Media Watchdog calls for supporting Media, Freedom of Expression

A leading press freedom organization in Afghanistan, Nai, called on all participants The Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) summit to stand by their commitments in supporting Media and freedom of expression.

“In addition to the demands of the Civil Society institutions for supporting freedom of expression and Media, NAI urges the participants of the summit to stand by their commitments,” Abdul Mujib Khelwatgar, chairman of NAI said.

SOM summit is scheduled to be held on Saturday with the participation of senior officials of the international community and Afghan government in Kabul.

The Afghan government and the international community will discuss on commitments that were given in Tokyo conference.

The SOM summit will be held in Kabul following the London conference.

NAI organization claims that the Afghan government has not fulfilled its commitments which has promised in London conference.

“More than 7 months passed since the London conference but the Afghan government has not fulfilled its commitments,” Khelwatgar added.

Officials in NAI organization say that currently Afghan media outlets are facing serious finance problems which more than 75 media outlets were closed due to their economic problems.

Previously, to ensure continuity and progress, the Afghan Government and the International Community decided to establish a follow-up mechanism to review their mutual long-term commitments laid out in this Declaration and the Tokyo Framework, and to verify the fulfillment of these commitments based on the notion of mutual accountability.

The Participants of Tokyo conference have also emphasized the role of the Afghan civil society in advocating for and supporting human rights, good governance and sustainable social, economic and democratic development of Afghanistan through a sustained dialogue.